Walmart should you go!

Im starting this thread in an effort to show the other side of the story and hopefully keep anyone from making a huge mistake by leaving a good job and putting their future in the hands of the new Walmart. Im not talking about leaving a mega fleet job where your making 45k,if your that driver you should stop here,you will never understand and your only going to get all hurt. Its the whole been there done that thing. Im talking to guys that have really good jobs but think the private fleet might have something to offer,maybe your job is missing something you think the private fleet might have or maybe its just you need a change. Keep an open mind and use this to help make what is probably going to be a very difficult decision. It was for many of us,so your not alone.

If you have studied this forum you may have noticed there are some of us that are not to happy with how things are going with all the new policies. Actually there are alot of us but only a few who will step up,stand up and share whats going on. Funny thing is the ones that dummy up and roll over on their backs are usually the ex mega fleet guys and guys who have never known anything but less than desireable jobs. These guys are really happy with cookouts,butt kissing and thinking that they are the best of the best. The truth is alot of the new school are the best of those that can fog a mirror while BARELY meeting the less than difficult standards. Gone are the days where guys like yourself who have 20 plus years were the ones filling the seats. We were told four years ago that the "new school was going to be made up of younger less experienced guys because they would have a longer shelf life". Bentonville is tired of guys coming in to finish their careers and its a practice they want to end.

This was once a job that a driver like yourself earned after spending years building a solid record in both their professional as well as their personal lives. It often could take years of applying and interviewing before you were accepted in,when you were it was a big deal. There were no radio ads,no mass advertising campaigns and no compromise in the high professional standards,ones that were based on Mr Sams own values. The push to find drivers should be your first red flag. New drivers could expect a very good wage and treatment that no other large company would ever provide because they just dont care about their drivers. When a new driver came in he could tell from day one that he had hit the top of the pole and it was very clear he was surrounded by others that had done the same.

Here at the new private fleet you can expect to be heavily monitored,micro managed and graded at every turn. From the minute you start your work week you will be watched,this is constant and its becoming an obsession with Bentonville. You are watched at your DC,stores,vendors and on the road by safety as well by fellow associates of all levels. This would not be a big deal if Bentonville had your back,in the past a drivers integrity and his word meant more. If you took ownership of a mistake and corrected the problem your job was secure,the exceptions being theft and dishonesty. In the past few years drivers are being let go for violations that in the past would have only meant a step up the discipline ladder. Remember a termination from Walmart will destroy your record and it may take years to recover and you might not have those years.

So before you take a big step that might affect you for the rest of your life please think it thru. Think about the big things like pay,seniority and benefits. You will make very good money here but thats were it stops especially if your coming from a union shop or a job where you had alot of time in. In the past alot of guys came in from "good" union jobs,now its getting less common. One thing they find is that all the lips in the world on your butt cant make up for the seniority they left behind.

If you decide to move forward be sure to not burn any bridges,you may end up having to go back with a knife from the new Walmart sticking out of your back.

 

Demi you get it and I appreciate and respect your position. You and the others will have to watch yourselves but I think you will be okay. I just dont want to see anyone make a big mistake because they make their decision knowing only whats good about the job.

And your not stuck,I started a second business and I keep my resume handy should the need arise. There are a few good jobs out there and you should never stop looking. Good luck my friend and please be careful,dont turn your back.

 

Some very good points. There are more than a few older guys that see the line forming from Swift,JB,Knight and the others. Alot of those drivers are already on accounts servicing Walmart stores and clubs so they know the system. To the untrained eye it would seem a logical move but those of us that have paid our dues can only hang our heads and watch the train as it picks up speed.

I have not carried any serious tools in years,with the newer trucks the fleet runs quick roadside repairs are not the fix they once were. The shops these days at most large fleets are basically just oil,lube and minor repairs. The shop situation and level of experience at Walmart is in bad shape as well. At Walmart you can be loading trucks one day then move to the shop were you fuel,change oil and do very minor repairs. Its not really a high skilled job anymore. Gone are the shops filled with old school gear heads that could think their way thru without a laptop. One day tracking down an electrical problem and the next doing an in frame.

 

They still have waiting lists,its the quality of a lot of those in line that has suffered. To be honest growth and driver attrition has put a strain on recruiting but those have been issues for the last five years. The rise of the supercenters is where the train left the station.